Saint of the Day – 12 August – St Jaenbert

Saint Jaenbert (Jaenberht, Janbriht, Janibert, Jambert, Lambert, Lanbriht, Genegberht) Jænberht was a medieval monk, and later the abbot, of St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury. He came from a prominent family in the kingdom of Kent, and a kinsman of his, Eadhun, was an official of King Egbert II of Kent. In 760 he was elected Abbot of St. Augustine’s, Canterbury, and blessed by Archbishop Bregwin. When the archbishop died he was buried at Christ Church, and Jaenbert asserted the rights of his own abbey as the traditional burying-place with such vigour that the monks of Christ Church elected him archbishop to avoid his appeal to Rome, thus showing the great strength of his personality and will.

As archbishop, he had a difficult relationship with King Offa of Mercia, who at one point confiscated lands from the archbishopric. By 787, some of the bishoprics under Canterbury’s supervision were transferred to the control of the newly created Archbishopric of Lichfield. Jænberht also presided over church councils in England and minted silver coins, thus making him the earliest Archbishop of Canterbury whose coinage has been preserved. The saint was renowned for his wisdom and sound judgment. He was sought after by both clergy and laity for his advice and guidance on matters of faith and morals. Jambert was the thirteenth prelate of the primal see of England and was noted for his patronage of monasteries and the poor.

He died on 12 August, 792, of natural causes, and was buried in the abbey church of St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury.